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CANDIDA OVERGROWTH AND HOW IT AFFECTS HORMONES, CONCEPTION, AND PREGNANCY

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CANDIDA AND HORMONE IMMBALANCE

Candida overgrowth may lead to leaky gut syndrome which may lead to candida and other toxins spreading through the body affecting many systems including the endocrine system.

Many of the symptoms of hormone imbalance (e.g. PMS, PMT, mood swings, headaches, nausea, cramps) are the very same symptoms that have been identified as caused by Candida overgrowth.

Estrogen is a hormone that is produced in the ovaries (in pre-menopausal females), in the adrenals (in men and in post-menopausal women), in fat cells and in the bowel, because estrogen and progesterone play a greater role in a female than a male, any imbalance will have more effects on the female.

Both of these hormones have other functions such as controlling the bladder, bowel functioning, and blood sugar regulation, disruption of these hormones may happen as candida overgrowth may affect the endocrine system.

Once candida has overgrown and spread to the blood stream, it can bind to hormones changing their shape so they are unable to fit into their receptors. This effectively inactivates the circulating hormone, making all endocrine problems much worse.

Candida overgrowth produces many different toxins known to wreak havoc with the immune system and may also contribute to hormonal problems one candida waste product produces a false estrogen, which tricks the body into thinking it has produced adequate levels, signaling a reduction of its own estrogen .

Similar messages can also be sent to the thyroid, reducing thyroxin production and initiating or worsening a hypothyroid problem.

Hair loss is a common symptom of thyroid problems especially in woman so candida overgrowth should be considered when treating any hair loss.
Elevated estrogen levels also increase vaginal Candidiasis (thrush) .

Some Estrogen’s will literally feed candida overgrowth, which is why birth control pills and estrogen replacement therapy put women at a greater risk of developing candida overgrowth , using progesterone, even natural Progesterone may increase candida overgrowth due to its effect on other hormone and acidity levels.

A direct link to Candida and hormonal imbalance is shown in Autoimmune Polyendocrinopathy Immune-dysregulation Candidiasis Hypersensitivity syndrome. (APICH) This syndrome was identified in the USA in the 1980s as an endocrine disorder connected to people with candida overgrowth that dose not respond to conventional treatment. It is far more prevalent in females; symptoms include ovarian, thyroid and adrenal insufficiency.

So if candida overgrowth is a side-effect of an endocrine disorder (hormonal imbalance), a vicious circle could develop with candida overgrowth at one end and the APICH syndrome at the other end.

If Candida blocks estrogen receptors this can lead to a relative dominance of progesterone, a hormone candida loves.

Once candida has taken hold, it can further disrupt the endocrine system by inactivating circulating hormones.

The immune system attacks the candida and the candida retaliates weakening it, but the disruption is primarily in the endocrine system.

Short term antibiotic use as well as causing thrush can have another effect , estrogen is passed into the intestines in bile fluids for conversion to a more active form by bacterial action because Broad-spectrum antibiotics kill the bacteria this process is stopped, estrogen levels are therefore lowered so repeated doses of antibiotics can disrupt the endocrine system similar to corticosteroids.

Because the endocrine system governs the acid-alkaline balance in the vagina, (slightly acidic), if the endocrine system decides to raise the pH level (making it alkaline), the vaginal wall becomes less hospitable to the good bacteria that protect it, if they die the vacated space may be taken by an organism that likes an alkaline environment i.e. thrush.

This is why to get rid of thrush permanently, you need to return the vagina to its natural acidic state this must be done gently as drastic treatment may get rid of the thrush, but the vacuum may be filled by an opportunistic strain of bacteria that will bring as many problems as the thrush itself.

When intercourse is painful, there is an inability to achieve orgasm, or a lack of interest in sex, candida overgrowth may be indicated due to its effect on hormone levels.

Yeast infections can be passed back and forth between sexual partners so when either a husband or wife is treated for yeast overgrowth, the other partner should be treated also. men may have no visible symptoms.

The effect of hormone imbalance is far reaching and I have seen how controlling candida overgrowth can play a major role in restoring the balance.

Female hormonal homoeopathic drops can keep the balance after candida is controlled.

CANDIDA AND ENDOMETRIOSIS

Since the eighties there has been speculation that there is a connection between allergy and endometriosis.

It has been shown that women with endometriosis had a high incidence of allegy and also candida overgrowth symptoms.

An immune dysfunction was found to be common in women with a history of candida overgrowth, this caused an increase in the production of prostaglandin E2 ( connected to uterine cramping and stimulation).

This same PGE2 can inhibit the bodys immune response to candida ( see page on auto immune disease)

So when treating endometriosis candida overgrowth must not be ignored.

CANDIDA CONNECTION TO CONCEPTION AND PREGNANCY

Candida overgrowth has become one of the most controversial health topics of our time, western medicine doesn’t believe the condition even exists since there are so many symptoms associated with the disease, but some researchers believe Candidiasis can possibly affect fertility by causing hormone imbalances, endometriosis, releasing toxins into the bloodstream and by housing antibodies that affect the ovaries.

If the much more common yeast infection form of Candida overgrowth (thrush) is thought to interfere in a woman’s body chemistry enough to effect her when trying to conceive so systemic Candidiasis is definitely worth considering.

A healthy inner ecosystem is important to your health and conception, your inner ecosystem needs to be healthy, if it's thriving with beneficial bacteria that help you digest food, absorb nutrients, build immunity, manufacture important vitamins and minerals, and regulate blood sugar you have a much better chance of conception and a good pregnancy.

We all need to have a healthy inner ecosystem for good health, but once a woman becomes pregnant, natural changes take place in her body that make the delicate balance of her inner ecosystem more vulnerable.

Candida overgrowth creates sugar cravings , a vicious circle of sugar cravings and candida overgrowth is common in pregnancy due to natural hormonal changes , progesterone levels rise during pregnancy it is essential for retaining the fetus in the womb, as progesterone levels elevate your blood sugar also climbs, creating an acidic condition in your body, extra sugar is also necessary since it is important for your baby's developing brain.

Progesterone may increase candida overgrowth due to its effect on other hormone and acidity levels so as candida overgrowth increases so do sugar cravings a pregnant mother who indulges in a diet high in refined sugar, coupled with her already higher blood sugar levels, will worsen the acidic blood condition in her body and the chances of further candida overgrowth.

Candida overgrowth can lower immunity, putting both baby and mother at risk. A baby depends on his mother's strong immune system to protect it while it is in the womb and shortly after birth until his own immune system becomes strong.

Adrenal glands are already working hard; in pregnancy they become even more fatigued when Candidiasis infection is in the body.

Candida may absorb minerals right out of the bloodstream.

Mineral-depleted blood is acidic and allows infections to become even more severe.

Vaginal yeast infections may keep reoccurring unless candida overgrowth is controlled, Candida can also be sexually transmitted from one person to another and a mother can pass on infection to a baby if infected at the time of birth or through breast feeding.

This site concentrates on candida overgrowth and its possible consequences the build up to conception should take into account all aspects of health and candida overgrowth is only one of these, unfortunately this is not often the case, once pregnant the body needs all the help it can get and there is still time to act, controlling candida overgrowth and balancing the gut can only lead to better long term health for mother and baby.

Female homoeopathic pregnancy drops may help with conception this is recommended only after candida is controlled.